Saturday, 8 November 2025

Friday, 7 November 2025

Stalin's Famine in Kazakhstan

 I am writing a history of Kazakhstan. I didn't realise that Stalin caused a terrible famine in Kazakhstan in 1931-1933. More than 1.5 million people died.

Friday, 31 October 2025

Laura Bassi

 Famous woman physicist Laura Bassi was born in Bologna, Italy, on 31 October 1711. She studied at Bologna and gained a doctorate degree in 1732. She became a lecturer at the university and also made important contributions to science. https://www.europeana.eu/en/stories/laura-bassi-one-of-the-first-women-in-science

Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

National Nut Day

22 October is National Nut Day. Here is some nut-related info:

1. Almonds are native to western Asia. They are mentioned in the Bible, and the Egyptians grew them. The Romans grew almonds, and they have been popular ever since.

2. Brazil nuts are native to South America. The Dutch introduced them into Europe in the early 17th century. They became popular in the 18th century.

3. Cashew nuts came from Brazil but in the late 16th century the Portuguese spread them to other parts of the world.

4. Peanuts are native to Central America. The Spanish introduced them into Europe.

5. Walnuts first grew in Persia. They were grown by the Greeks and later by the Romans, and walnuts spread through Europe. Walnuts were well-known in England in the 16th century.